Posted by Smart Alec on March 09, 2006 at 18:46:23 from 86.130.132.12 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Cheers posted by John Nichols on March 09, 2006 at 18:36:16:
'Hurrah' is an older form of 'hooray'. In the early 19th century, in Britain, it was spelt 'Hurra' and sometimes 'Huzza'. You sometimes see old inscriptions 'Huzza for the King!' I don't know when 'hip, hip' came in, but I think that, strictly speaking, it should be 'hip, hip, hip, hooray', ie three 'hips', to keep to the rule of three. The Services still use three 'hips' on formal occasions, eg the British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall every November, when giving three cheers for the Queen.
(John - I'm sorry Anne doesn't wish to contact me. I am a fan of hers. I feel an empathy.)